The Appointments Sub-Committee of Lambeth Council was scheduled to discuss the recruitment process for the Corporate Director of Housing. The meeting's agenda included the election of a chair, declarations of interest, and the potential exclusion of the press and public for a specific item.

Recruitment of Corporate Director of Housing

The primary focus of the meeting was the recruitment process for the Corporate Director of Housing. The report pack outlined the established procedures for appointing to this senior role, as detailed in the Council's Constitution. The role of Corporate Director of Housing is central to Lambeth's priorities, particularly in addressing challenges related to homelessness, temporary accommodation, and the improvement of council homes and the delivery of affordable housing, aligning with the ambitions of the Lambeth 2030 Borough Plan.

The recruitment process involved an executive search conducted by Gatenby Sanderson, followed by longlisting by the Chief Executive, advised by the search firm and the Director of HR and Organisational Development. Technical interviews were completed by Gatenby Sanderson with an external assessor. The Appointments Sub-Committee had previously met on 24 February 2026 to shortlist candidates. The report indicated that the final interview panel was scheduled for 10 March 2026.

The report recommended that the Sub-Committee note the appointment process, consider excluding the press and public for the remainder of the meeting due to the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to candidate details, and conduct interviews for the position. It was also recommended that the Sub-Committee submit a recommendation to the Full Council for their approval. The funding for the Corporate Director of Housing post was noted as £180,000 per annum, with on-costs bringing the annual budget to £240,000.

The job description for the Corporate Director of Housing highlighted the need for a strategic leader to develop and deliver the long-term vision for housing in Lambeth. Key responsibilities included driving improvements in housing quality and safety, modernising services, enhancing customer experience, and addressing homelessness and temporary accommodation pressures. The role also involves contributing to the wider strategic direction of the council as a member of the Corporate Management Board. The person specification outlined essential knowledge and experience, including a clear understanding of the strategic housing landscape, national and local policy changes, and strong political acumen to work effectively with elected members. The role is identified as politically restricted under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

The report also detailed the legal framework governing the appointment of senior staff, referencing the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) Regulations 2001 and Section 112 of the Local Government Act 1972, which grants the Council the power to appoint necessary officers. Furthermore, the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 require the publication of remuneration details for senior employees earning over £50,000, with those earning over £150,000 needing to be identified by name.

The timetable for the recruitment process indicated that following the final interviews on 10 March 2026, a Well Founded Objection process would commence on 11 March 2026, concluding on 13 March 2026. Upon successful completion of this process, approval would be sought from the Full Council, after which a conditional offer would be made to the successful candidate.